Method and apparatus for distributing currency

ABSTRACT

A process which provides electronic access to pre-paid funds for cash or payment for goods and services. A card is issued to a customer with a value selectable by the customer. The card has a magnetic stripe with an encoded card number including a bank identification number (BIN) and an account number. The central card processor establishes a zero balance database including the card numbers, but with blank fields for the customer data and the value of the account. When a customer purchases a card, the sales agent transmits to the central database computer which fills in the blanks in the database, activating the account, and transmits an acknowledgement signal back to the sales agent. The customer can immediately use the card in ATM or other remote terminals to acquire cash or purchase goods and services. The customer inputs a PIN number which is provided with the card, or a customer selected alternative PIN number.

This application is a continuation of reissue application Ser. No.08/707,733 filed Sep. 4, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 36,365, which is areissue of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/141,772 filed Oct. 25, 1993, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,477,038.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and processes for dispensingcurrency to a cardholder in response to an authorization over anelectronic data network.

A variety of cards are available to enable a customer to electronicallyinterface with a financial institution. Credit cards are a well-knownexample of this, plastic cards having a magnetic stripe with an encodedaccount number. These cards can be read by special terminals at amerchant's site, commonly referred to as point-of-sale (POS) terminals.The account number can then be transmitted over a network, such as theVisaNet network. In addition to the account number, the amount of thetransaction is also transmitted for authorization. A remote main-framecomputer checks a database to determine if the credit card customer isstill within his/her credit limit, before authorizing the purchase.

Another type of card is a debit card, which is not used to extendcredit, but rather to withdraw cash or pay a merchant immediately. Theamount of the transaction is deducted from the customer's checkingaccount, which the customer can periodically replenish. Here, thecustomer must have the money in the account before the transaction isapproved, rather than having to pay the money on credit extended, as fora standard credit card.

Another type of card is an automated teller machine (ATM) card. Theseare typically issued by a particular financial institution or bank,allowing a customer to access the customer's checking or savings accountfor withdrawal from a remote ATM. The remote ATM is connected through anATM interchange to various banks subscribing to a particular ATMnetwork. Like a debit card, this card causes an immediate deduction fromthe customer's account. The immediate deduction is actually a same dayor same night deduction, since the amount of the transaction istypically recorded, and then actually processed in batch mode at nightwith other transactions. One danger of the ATM system is that of a lostor stolen card. The use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN), knownonly to the customer, eliminates much of the risk. Another control isimposing a daily limit, $200, for instance, on any withdrawals by aparticular card during any day.

Other types of cards store the account amount directly on the card. Anexample would be a transit card, such as cards for the Bay Area RapidTransit (BART) District. When these cards are purchased, the dollaramount of the card is magnetically recorded on the card. Each time thecard is used by passing it through an access terminal, the fare isdeducted from the amount on the card, and a new card value ismagnetically recorded on the card itself. An advantage of such a card isthat if it is lost or stolen, the potential loss value is only theamount recorded on the card itself. A disadvantage is that there is noability to contact the issuer and freeze the remaining account balance.

Other than these different types of cards, and currency itself, there isyet another device for obtaining cash which is very popular. That is thepaper travellers cheque. Travellers cheques are desirable as compared tocurrency because of the signature authorization required and the abilityto report them as stolen or lost and identify them by serial number. Inaddition, they are issued in limited amounts, and thus may limit thepossible exposure. Unlike debit cards or credit cards or even ATM cards,there is no account number which can easily be verified online to see ifthe account has been closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic cash access process whichincludes a unique combination of aspects of both debit cards andtravellers cheques, referred to herein as an Electronic TravellersCheque (ETC). The process can also be used for money transfer and anyother pre-paid cash access product. A card is issued to a customer witha value selected by the customer. Unlike a credit or debit card, thevalue is fixed. Unlike a transit card, the amount of the value of thecard is stored in a central computer. The card can be used to access theaccount through an ATM or other terminals world-wide, with the use of apersonal identification number (PIN) to provide added security greaterthan that, for instance, given by the signature on a traditional papertravellers cheque. The card is disposable when the account is depleted,with a new card and account required for a new amount of cash.

The cards themselves have a magnetic stripe with an encoded card numberincluding a bank identification number (BIN) and an account number. Thecards may be issued by multiple ETC issuers who have financialresponsibility for the accounts, but are processed on their behalf by asingle entity referred to as the ETC processor herein. The ETC processorestablishes a zero balance database including the card numbers, but withblank fields for the customer data (name, address, etc.) and the valueof the card. The cards are provided to a bank or other sales agent. Whena customer purchases a card, the sales agent uses local software toremotely transmit to the central database the card number (or a serialnumber) along with the customer data and the amount purchased. Thesoftware at the ETC processor fills in the blanks in the database,activating the account, and transmits an acknowledgement signal back tothe sales agent software.

The customer can immediately use the card in ATM or other remoteterminals to acquire cash or purchase goods or services. The customerinputs a PIN number which is provided with the card, or a customerselected alternative PIN number. The transaction is handled by the ATMor other terminal in much the same manner as a normal ATM transactionusing an ATM card.

When the cards are manufactured, they preferably have a serial numberprinted on them which is different from the card number recorded on amagnetic stripe on the card. The sales agent would actually preferablytransmit the serial number over the data link to the ETC processor foradded security. In addition, the agent will transmit an agentidentification number. The ETC processor verifies that the agent isauthorized to sell a particular serial number, and translates the serialnumber into the appropriate card number, including the BIN number andaccount number. The remote computer can then determine a location in thedatabase to be loaded with the account information.

The BIN number of the issuing institution is stored in the database inthe ETC processor along with an indication of the currency used forissuance. A particular bank may have multiple BIN numbers for multipletypes of currencies in which cards can be issued. When a customer usesthe card in a remote terminal, that terminal may be connected to anintermediate network, such as the VisaNet network. The currency of theterminal is transmitted to the central VisaNet computer, and the centralVisaNet computer does a currency conversion, if necessary, to debit theaccount balance.

The serial number provides an additional level of security. The salesagent can transmit the serial number, making it more difficult forsomeone to intercept the message and determine the account number. Also,a customer can select or change the PIN from any touch tone phone byusing the serial number printed on the card. In addition, the centraldatabase has fields for storing status information indicating thatcertain serial number cards have been ordered from the manufacturer,shipped to the sales agent, and received by the sales agent. Thisinformation can be accessed by standard inventory software to track itand keep it current for security to insure an agent is authorized tosell a particular serial number card.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an ETC card according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the production of the card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the issuance and useof the electronic travellers cheque (ETC) of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the data network used by the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the program steps for issuance andactivation of an ETC;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a software program for controllingthe usage of an ETC;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a software program for controllingreplacement card issuance; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a program for assigning a replacementPIN.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an ETC card 10 according to the presentinvention. The card has a magnetic stripe 12 on it, including theaccount information. The magnetic stripe has encoded on it first a bankidentification number (BIN) 14. This number not only defines the issuingbank, but also the currency in which the card was issued. If a bankissues only in U.S. currency, it might have just a single number, whilea bank which issues in multiple currencies might have multiple BINnumbers assigned. A second number is the actual account number 16 forthe particular card. The BIN and account number form a card number 17,sometimes also referred to as a Primary Account Number (PAN). A thirdnumber is a service code number 18 which identifies to the appropriatesoftware that this is a “cash only” use card. An alternate service codecould be used for authorizing the card for debits for a purchase at amerchant's site in a point of sale (POS) device. Finally, a CardVerification Value (CVV) 19 is used for error detection and frauddetection.

The card also includes a serial number 20 printed on the face of thecard to be visible to a sales agent. The serial number can be related bythe computer to the encoded account number, which is not itself visible.Finally, a memo pad 22 is included on the card, with multiple lines fora customer to write on to indicate the current balance on the card. Aseach withdrawal is made with the card, the customer can indicate theremaining balance by subtracting the amount withdrawn from the previousbalance and writing it on the card. The card is not embossed to preventits use as a credit or debit card. Fraud possibilities are thus limitedbecause it cannot be used to produce imprints like a credit card ordebit card. There is no need for an expiration date as for a credit cardsince there is no need for credit controls because the money has alreadybeen received by the issuer. However, an expiration date (which may be along time in the future) may be encoded on the magnetic stripe so itwill be compatible with ATM and other terminals that expect to see anexpiration date to accept a card.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the actual creation of the cards. Aseries of blank cards 26 are provided to card personalizing machinery28. Machinery 28 encodes on the magnetic stripe on the card the cardnumber (the BIN number and the account number), the service code and theCVV number. In addition, the serial number is printed on the card, withthe finalized card 10 coming out of the output of the machine. At thesame time, a printed envelope or jacket 30 is produced from a printer32. The envelope 30 will include in it a personal identification number(PIN). The card is placed in its corresponding envelope to produce acombined media and pin jacket 34. A record of the BIN, account and othernumbers is stored in an issuer record database 36. A number of cardpackages 34 can be provided for the inventory of a particular salesagent for sales to end customers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the activation and use of the ETC cardsat a broad level. A sales agent 40 has a stack of packaged cards 34 ininventory. A customer 42 can approach the sales agent, indicating thecustomer's name and other identifying information, along with the amountof value desired. The sales agent selects an ETC card and enters itsserial number into a terminal (which could be a telephone) 44, alongwith the customer data and amount. The terminal then transmits thisinformation via communications link 43 to a network such as the VisaNetnetwork 51 (as used herein, VisaNet network refers to the combination ofthe hardware, software and other elements which comprise the network).The sales agent will also transmit a sales agent code and password. Thesales agent code will identify the agent or financial institution. Ifthe sales agent is authorized to issue multiple currencies, a code forthe appropriate currency desired by the customer is used.

A database 46 in a main-frame computer 45 looks up the BIN and then theaccount number for that serial number in a database 46. The databasewill include blanks for the customer data and amount next to eachaccount number, which will be filled in by the information provided. Thecomputer will then send an acknowledgement message back to the salesagent, who will print a receipt for the customer and complete thetransaction.

The customer can then go to any Visa ATM 50 to use the card. ATM 50 isconnected to the VisaNet network via communications link 52. The datatransmitted by the ATM includes the card number and the amount of thecurrency the customer wishes to withdraw. This currency amount iscompared to the amount stored in the database for that card number. Ifsufficient value is authorized, the withdrawal is authorized by returnmessage. The VisaNet computer provides any currency conversion needed,since the ATM will transmit a code indicating the currency it dispensesand the database will know the currency of the card from the BIN numberfor that card number stored in its database.

The account number for the ETC card is not an account of the sales agentor bank. Instead, it is an account maintained with the ETC issuer. Thus,no preexisting account relationship with the bank or sales agent isrequired. In addition, the issuing procedure for the ETC card results ininstant activation of the account and the card. The customer canliterally walk to a Visa ATM outside the bank issuing the card and usethe ETC card immediately.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of an electronic network used bythe present invention. A first sales terminal 60 is shown connectedthrough an interface 62 to a communication line, such as a digital T1line 64 to an ETC processor 66. A second sales terminal 68 at a separatebank or sales agent is connected through a dial-up modem 70 to a publicpacket-switched network communication link 72 to ETC processor 66. TheETC processor includes a computer 74 connected to an inventory database76, an account database 78, and an agent database 80. The accountdatabase 78 stores the account information which is updated each time acustomer uses the ETC card.

ETC processor 66 is connected to a network, such as VisaNet network 82.VisaNet network 82 includes a central computer with a communicationprocessor 84, such as an IBM 3745. The communication processor 84 isconnected to a main-frame 86, such as an IBM 3090. A memory 88 providesstorage for main-frame 86. A control terminal 90 allows for localservicing and control.

Communication processor 84 is connected to an ATM interchange 92, whichin turn is connected to individual ATM machines 94. In addition, thecommunication processor 84 may be connected to a direct-debit network96, which is connected to individual point-of-sale (POS) terminals 98.

In operation, when a card is used at an ATM 94, a message is passedthrough ATM interchange 92 to VisaNet network 82. The VisaNet networkdetermines the destination, then forwards the message to the ETCprocessor for authorization and debiting of the account balance. Thereturn message is passed from ETC processor 66, through VisaNet network82 and ATM interchange 92 to the individual ATM machine 94, which cannow dispense cash to the customer.

Another VisaNet service is stand-in processing (STIP) software 100,typically used when a connected processor is not available. This STIPsoftware includes positive cardholder authorization service (PCAS)software which can do card number verification, PIN verification, andbalance verification, if desired.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the software at thesales agent's terminal in conjunction with the software at the ETCprocessor. The sales agent first inputs an agent number and an agentpassword (step A). Next, the card serial number is input (step B). Thecustomer data and the currency amount are also input (steps C and D).Finally, the customer may optionally select a PIN number other than theone preassigned, if the sales agent has this capability (step E).Alternately, the customer may change the PIN at a touch-tone phone asshown in FIG. 8, discussed below. This information is then transmittedto the ETC processor via the datalink (step F).

The software at the ETC processor, upon receiving the transmitted data,first validates the agent number and password by comparing it to thedatabase 80, shown in FIG. 4, of authorized agents and passwords (stepG). A translation table is then consulted to determine the card numberfrom the serial number (step H). The card number is used to find theappropriate BIN and account number records in the database (step I).

The account database is consulted, looking up the entries correspondingto that issuer BIN (step J). Once that sector of the database islocated, the particular account number is located (step K). Theinventory status data stored with the account number is checked todetermine if the serial number received was distributed to that salesagent. The customer data and currency amount is then entered into theblank fields corresponding to that account number in the database (stepL). The account number and the PIN number stored in the database (or anew PIN number transmitted by the customer) are then transmitted to theVisaNet system for updating of the PCAS software (step M). Finally, anacknowledgement message is sent back to the sales agent (step N).

The software at the ETC processor also calculates an agent commission,if any (step 0). This is stored in the database, with a settlementroutine (step P) being run at the end of the day. Finally, back at theagent terminal, the agent terminal software, upon receipt of theacknowledgement message from the ETC processor, prints a customerreceipt (step Q).

The use of a serial number separate from the card number allows acustomer to securely use a touch-tone phone to change a PIN bytransmitting the identifying serial number. A customer can accesscustomer service software through a touch-tone phone for this purpose.The customer could also be required to transmit other customer data, toenable a check of the database to confirm that customer data isassociated with that serial number or corresponding card number.

The status data maintained in the account database allows additionalsecurity for card inventory. In one embodiment, a first status field isused to indicate when the issuer has placed an order with the cardmanufacturer to create more cards. A second status field indicates anacknowledgement from the card manufacturer that the cards have been madeand shipped to a particular sales agent. A third status field is used toindicate an acknowledgement from that sales agent of receipt of thecards. Thus, a multiple point check is built into the database. Usingthe account database to store this inventory information also allowssimple inventory software to be used, and integrates the inventorysecurity requirements (unique to this type of a card) with the rest ofthe system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the software used when a customeractually uses the card after issuance. The customer can insert the cardinto a standard Visa ATM machine (alternately, a POS or other device maybe used). The ATM machine software causes the magnetic stripe to be readand determines the card number, including the BIN number and accountnumber from the card (step A). The customer then inputs the PIN number,which the software also captures (step B). Finally, the customer inputsthe desired debit amount to be withdrawn (step B).

The local ATM software then transmits a message to the VisaNet systemwith the input information (step C). The ATM also transmits a currencycode which shows what currency is in the ATM. The VisaNet networkperforms any required currency translation (step D). The ETC processorsoftware then looks up the card number in the database (step E), and thePIN number associated with the account in the database is compared tothe transmitted PIN number (step F). If the PINs don't match, a returnerror message is transmitted to the ATM (step G).

If the numbers do match, the debit amount is then compared to the amountremaining in the account (step H). If there is insufficient funds, anerror message is returned to the ATM indicating insufficient funds (stepI). If sufficient funds are available, the software then updates thebalance for that account after the debit (step J), and an authorizationapproval message is returned to the ATM (step K).

FIG. 7 illustrates a software routine used by a service center to issuea new card when a customer has lost the card. The service agent firstinputs the customer name and other data along with a new account numbercorresponding to a new card, just as in the new card routine (step A).This is transmitted to the ETC processor, which then does a lookup ofthe account, matching the customer name and other data to verifyownership of the account. If the card number or card serial number areavailable, these can be used instead (step B). If there is no match, anerror message is returned (step C).

If the customer name and other data matches to verify account ownership,the old account is closed (step D). The amount of the old balance isthen transferred to the new account, along with the customer name andany other identifying information (step E). An acknowledgement messageis then transmitted back to the service agent (step F). The otheraspects of the card issuance set forth in FIG. 5 are also followed, withFIG. 7 setting out the new steps required for transfer from one accountto another. As can be seen, a lost card can thus have the accountclosed, rendering it useless. This is an advantage over a papertravellers cheque, which could be forged.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the service agent software forassigning a new PIN number where a customer desires a new PIN or hasforgotten the PIN number. The service agent first inputs the customername and any other identifying data that is available, along with thedesired new PIN number (step A). The old PIN could also be required,except for a lost PIN. This information is then transmitted to the ETCprocessor computer (step B). The ETC processor computer compares theaccount information to determine whether there is sufficient informationto claim that account (step C). If there is insufficient or non-matchinginformation, an error message is returned (step D).

Otherwise, the PIN number assigned to that account is updated (step E).The new PIN number is also transmitted to the PCAS issuer recorddatabase in the VisaNet system for updating as well (step F). Finally,an acknowledgement message is returned to the service agents software(step G).

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, thedisclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention is intended tobe illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention whichis set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for distributing currency or purchasinggoods and services, comprising the following steps: generating aplurality of card numbers, each card number including an account numberand a bank identification number, corresponding to card numbers encodedon a plurality of cards; creating a database on a central computerhaving at least a first field for said bank identification number, asecond field for said account number, a third field for customer data, afourth field for a currency amount, and a fifth field for a personalidentification number (PIN); loading said bank identification number andsaid account numbers into said database, leaving said third and fourthfields without customer data or currency amount; receiving, at asubsequent time of card purchase, customer data, an ID numbercorresponding to a card number and a currency amount selected by acustomer from a first remote terminal; immediately entering saidcustomer data and said currency amount into said third and fourthfields, respectively, of said database corresponding to a bankidentification number and an account number included in said cardnumber; immediately entering a personal identification number (PIN) intoa fifth field of said database corresponding to said customer;subsequently receiving, from a second remote terminal, a customerinputted PIN, a card number from a card for said customer and a debitcurrency amount; subtracting said currency debit amount from thecurrency amount in said database corresponding to the received customercard number and PIN and updating said currency amount in said database;transmitting to said second remote terminal an authorization message fortransferring said currency debit amount if said currency debit amount isnot greater than said currency amount in the database; transmitting tosaid second remote terminal a message denying the transferring ofcurrency if said currency debit amount is greater than the currencyamount in the database.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising thesteps of: transmitting, from said second remote terminal, a currencycode indicating a currency type in said second remote terminal;comparing said currency type to an issuance currency of said cardindicated by said bank identification number; and converting said debitcurrency amount of said currency type to said issuance currency.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: printing a serialnumber different from said card number on each of said cards;transmitting said serial number as said ID number; and converting saidserial number into said card number.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of: storing inventory control status information insaid database to indicate the status of said cards; receiving a salesagent ID with said ID number for said card; comparing said sales agentID with said inventory control status information; returning an errormessage if said comparing step does not produce a match.
 5. The methodof claim 4 wherein said inventory control status information includesfirst data indicating the ordering of cards by an issuer, second dataindicating the shipment of cards by a card manufacturer and third dataindicating the receipt of cards by said sales agent.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising changing said PIN according to the steps of:receiving a new PIN and said ID number; locating a card numbercorresponding to said ID number in said database; and replacing the PINin said fifth field for said card number with said new PIN.
 7. A methodfor distributing currency or purchasing goods and services, comprisingthe following steps: generating a plurality of card numbers, each cardnumber including an account number and a bank identification number,corresponding to card numbers encoded on magnetic stripes on a pluralityof cards; printing a visible serial number, different from, but relatedto, said card number, on each of said cards; creating a database on acentral computer having at least a first field for said bankidentification number, a second field for said account numbers, a thirdfield for customer data, and a fourth field for a currency amount;loading said bank identification number and said account numbers intosaid database, leaving said third and fourth fields without customerdata or currency amount; storing inventory control status information insaid database to indicate the status of said cards; receiving, at asubsequent time, customer data, the serial number and a currency amountfrom a first remote terminal; receiving a sales agent ID with saidserial number for said card; immediately translating said serial numberinto a card number; immediately entering said customer data and saidcurrency amounts into said third and fourth fields, respectively, ofsaid database corresponding to a bank identification number and anaccount number included in said card number; immediately entering apersonal identification number (PIN) into a fifth field of said databasecorresponding to said customer; comparing said sales agent ID with saidinventory control status information; returning an error message if saidcomparing step does not produce a match; subsequently receiving, from asecond remote terminal, a customer inputted PIN, a card number from acard for said customer and a debit currency amount; subtracting saidcurrency debit amount from the currency amount in said databasecorresponding to the received customer card number and PIN and updatingsaid currency amount in said database; transmitting to said secondremote terminal an authorization message for transferring said currencydebit amount if said currency debit amount is less than said currencyamount in the database; and transmitting to said second remote terminala message denying the transferring of currency if said currency debitamount is greater than the currency amount in the database.
 8. A systemfor distributing currency or purchasing goods and services, comprising:means for generating a plurality of card numbers, each card numberincluding an account number and a bank identification number,corresponding to card numbers encoded on a plurality of cards; adatabase on a central computer having at least a first field for saidbank identification number, a second field for said account numbers, athird field for customer data, and a fourth field for a currency amount,said bank identification number and said account numbers being loadedinto said database, leaving said third and fourth fields withoutcustomer data or currency amount, and a fifth field for a personalidentification number (PIN); a first remote terminal for transmittingcustomer data, and ID number corresponding to a card number and acurrency amount; means for entering said customer data and said currencyamounts into said third and fourth fields, respectively, of saiddatabase corresponding to a bank identification number and an accountnumber included in said card number and entering the PIN into said fifthfield of said database corresponding to said customer; a second remoteterminal for transmitting a customer inputted PIN, a card number from acard for said customer and a debit currency amount; means forsubtracting said currency debit amount from the currency amount in saiddatabase corresponding to the received customer card number and PIN andupdating said currency amount in said database; means for transmittingto said second remote terminal an authorization message for transferringsaid currency debit amount if said currency debit amount is not greaterthan said currency amount in the database; means for transmitting tosaid second remote terminal a message denying the transferring ofcurrency if said currency debit amount is greater than the currencyamount in the database.
 9. A method for distributing currency orpurchasing goods and services, comprising the following steps:generating a plurality of card numbers, each card number including anaccount number and a bank identification number, corresponding to cardnumbers encoded on a plurality of cards; creating a database on acentral computer having at least a first field for said bankidentification number, a second field for said account number, a thirdfield for customer data, a fourth field for a currency amount, and afifth field for a person identification number (PIN); loading said bankidentification number and said account number into said database,leaving said third and fourth fields without customer data or currencyamount; receiving at a subsequent time of card purchase, customer data,an ID number corresponding to a card number and a currency amountselected by a customer from a first remote terminal; immediatelyentering said customer data and said currency amount into said third andfourth fields, respectively, of said database corresponding to a bankidentification number and an account number included in said cardnumber; immediately entering a personal identification number (PIN) intoa fifth field of said database corresponding to said customer;subsequently receiving, from a second remote terminal, a customerinputted PIN, a card number from a card for said customer and a debitcurrency amount; subtracting said currency debit amount from thecurrency amount in said database corresponding to the received customercard number and PIN and updating said currency amount in said database;transmitting to said second remote terminal an authorization message fordispensing said currency debit amount to the customer if said currencydebit amount is less than said currency amount in the database;transmitting to said second remote terminal a message denying thedispensing of currency if said currency debit amount is greater than thecurrency amount in the database; and disposing of said card when thecurrency amount in the database is depleted and deactivating the accountcorresponding to said card number.
 10. A method for distributingcurrency or purchasing goods and services, comprising the followingsteps: generating a plurality of card numbers, each card numberincluding an account number and a bank identification number,corresponding to card numbers encoded on a plurality of cards; creatinga database on a central computer having at least a first field for saidbank identification number, a second field for said account number, athird field for customer data, a fourth field for a currency amount, anda fifth field for a personal identification number (PIN); loading saidbank identification number and said account numbers into said database;loading customer data and a fixed currency amount into said third andfourth fields, respectively, of said database corresponding to a bankidentification number and an account number included in said cardnumber; entering a personal identification number (PIN) into a fifthfield of said database corresponding to said customer; subsequentlyreceiving, from a second remote terminal, a customer inputted PIN, acard number from a card for said customer; subtracting a currency debitamount from the currency amount in said database corresponding to thereceived customer card number and PIN and updating said currency amountin said database; transmitting to said second remote terminal anauthorization message for transferring said currency debit amount ifsaid currency debit amount is in the database; transmitting to saidsecond remote terminal a message denying the transferring of currency ifsaid currency debit amount is not in the database.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising the step of dispensing currency to saidcustomer if said currency debit amount is in the database.
 12. A methodfor creating a customer account for distributing currency or purchasinggoods and services, comprising the following steps: generating aplurality of card numbers, each card number including an account numbercorresponding to card numbers encoded on a plurality of cards; loadingsaid account number into a database having a plurality of fields,including fields for said account number, for customer data, and forcurrency amount, leaving said fields for customer data and currencyamount without customer data or currency amount; receiving, at asubsequent time of card purchase, customer data, an ID numbercorresponding to a card number and a currency amount selected by acustomer, from a first remote terminal; entering said customer data andsaid currency amount into said fields of said database for said customerdata and said currency amount, respectively, corresponding to an accountnumber included in said card number.
 13. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising the steps of: subsequently receiving, from a second remoteterminal, a card number from a card for said customer and a currencydebit amount; transmitting to said second remote terminal anauthorization message for transferring said currency debit amount ifsaid currency debit amount is not greater than said currency amount insaid database; subtracting said currency debit amount from the currencyamount in said database corresponding to the received customer cardnumber and updating said currency amount in said database.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: transmitting, fromsaid second remote terminal, a currency code indicating a currency typein said second remote terminal; comparing said currency type to anissuance currency of said card; converting said debit currency amount ofsaid currency to said issuance currency.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein said card number comprises a bank identification number.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said plurality of fields of said databaseincludes a field for a bank identification number.
 17. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said step of receiving from a second remote terminal acard number and a currency debit amount includes the step of receiving apersonal identification number from said second remote terminal.
 18. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: printing a serialnumber different from said card number on each of said cards;transmitting said serial number as said ID number; converting said IDnumber to said card number.
 19. A system for distributing currency orpurchasing goods and services, comprising: means for generating aplurality of card numbers, each card number including an account number,corresponding to card numbers encoded on a plurality of cards; adatabase on a central computer having a plurality of fields, includingfields for said account number, for customer data, and for currencyamount, said account number being loaded into said database, leavingsaid fields for customer data and currency amount without customer dataor currency amount; a first remote terminal for transmitting customerdata, an ID number corresponding to a card number and a currency amount;means for entering said customer data and said currency amount into saidfields of said database for said customer data and said currency amount,respectively, corresponding to an account number included in said cardnumber.
 20. The system of claim 19 further comprising: a second remoteterminal for transmitting a card number from a card for said customerand a debit currency amount; means for subtracting said currency debitamount from the current amount in said database corresponding to thereceived customer card number and updating said currency amount in saiddatabase.
 21. The system of claim 20 further comprising: means fortransmitting to said second remote terminal an authorization message fortransferring said currency debit amount if said currency debit amount isnot greater than said currency amount in the database.
 22. The system ofclaim 20 wherein said second remote terminal comprises means fortransmitting a customer inputted personal identification number.
 23. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein said second remote terminal comprises meansfor transmitting a currency code indicating a currency type in saidsecond remote terminal.
 24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:means for converting said debit currency amount from said currency typeto an issuance currency of said card.
 25. The system of claim 19 whereinsaid card number comprises a bank identification number.
 26. The systemof claim 19 wherein said plurality of fields of said database includes afield for a bank identification number.
 27. The system of claim 19wherein said each of said cards comprises a printer serial numberdifferent from said customer number for said card.
 28. A computerreadable medium including computer program code for creating a customeraccount for distributing currency or purchasing goods and services usingcards, each card having a serial number printed on the card and anaccount number encoded in the card, said computer readable mediumcomprising: computer program code for loading an account number for acard into a database having a plurality of fields, including fields forsaid account number, for customer data, and for currency amount, leavingsaid fields for customer data and currency amount without customer dataor currency amount, said account number being associated with saidserial number of the card; computer program code for receiving, at asubsequent time of purchase of the card, customer data, said serialnumber, and a currency amount, from a first remote terminal; andcomputer program code for looking-up an account number from said serialnumber and for entering said customer data and said currency amount intosaid fields of said database for said customer data and said currencyamount, respectively, corresponding to said account number.
 29. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 28 wherein said computer readablemedium further comprises: computer program code for subsequentlyreceiving, from a second remote terminal, a account number from a cardand a currency debit amount; computer program code for transmitting tosaid second remote terminal an authorization message for transferringsaid currency debit amount if said currency debit amount is not greaterthan said currency amount in said database corresponding to the accountnumber; and computer program code for subtracting said currency debitamount from the currency amount in said database corresponding to theaccount number and updating said currency amount in said database. 30.The computer readable medium of claim 29 wherein said computer readablemedium further comprises: computer program code for transmitting to saidsecond remote terminal a message denying the transferring of currency ifsaid currency debit amount is greater than the currency amount in thedatabase.
 31. The computer readable medium of claim 29 wherein saidcomputer program code for receiving from a second remote terminal a cardnumber and a currency debit amount includes computer program code forreceiving a personal identification number from said second remoteterminal.
 32. The computer readable medium of claim 29 wherein saidcomputer readable medium further comprises: computer program code fortransmitting, from said second remote terminal, a currency codeindicating a currency type in said second remote terminal; computerprogram code for comparing said currency type to an issuance currency ofsaid card; and computer program code for converting said debit currencyamount of said currency to said issuance currency.
 33. The computerreadable medium of claim 28 wherein a bank identification number is alsoencoded in the card.
 34. The computer readable medium of claim 28wherein said plurality of fields of said database includes a field for abank identification number.
 35. A system for distributing currency orpurchasing goods and services using cards, each card having a cardnumber including an account number encoded thereon, said systemcomprising: a database on a central computer having a plurality offields, including fields for said account number, for customer data, andfor currency amount, said account number being loaded into saiddatabase, leaving said fields for customer data and currency amountwithout customer data or currency amount; a first remote terminal fortransmitting customer data, an ID number corresponding to a card numberand a currency amount; and computer program code for entering saidcustomer data and said currency amount into said fields of said databasefor said customer data and said currency amount, respectively,corresponding to an account number included in said card number.
 36. Thesystem of claim 35 further comprising: a second remote terminal fortransmitting a card number from a card for said customer and a debitcurrency amount; means for subtracting said currency debit amount fromthe current amount in said database corresponding to the received cardnumber and updating said currency amount in said database.
 37. Thesystem of claim 36 further comprising: computer program code fortransmitting to said second remote terminal an authorization message fortransferring said currency debit amount if said currency debit amount isnot greater than said currency amount in the database.
 38. The system ofclaim 37 further comprising: computer program code for transmitting tosaid second terminal a message denying the transferring of currency ifsaid currency debit amount is greater than said currency amount in thedatabase.
 39. The system of claim 36 wherein said second remote terminalcomprises computer program code for transmitting a customer inputtedpersonal identification number.
 40. The system of claim 36 wherein saidsecond remote terminal comprises computer program code for transmittinga currency code indicating a currency type in said second remoteterminal.
 41. The system of claim 40 further comprising: computerprogram code for converting said debit currency amount from saidcurrency type to an issuance currency of said card.
 42. The system ofclaim 35 wherein said card number comprises a bank identificationnumber.
 43. The system of claim 35 wherein said plurality of fields ofsaid database includes a field for a bank identification number.
 44. Thesystem of claim 35 wherein said each of said cards comprises a printedserial number different from the card number for said card.
 45. Anapparatus for distributing currency using cards, each card having a cardnumber including an account number encoded thereon, said apparatuscomprising: a database on a central computer having a plurality offields, including fields for said account number, for customer data, andfor currency amount, said account number being loaded into saiddatabase, leaving said fields for customer data and currency amountwithout customer data or currency amount; and computer program code forreceiving at a subsequent time of purchase of a card and then enteringsaid customer data and said currency amount into said fields of saiddatabase for said customer data and said currency amount, respectively,corresponding to an account number included in said card number.
 46. Theapparatus of claim 45 wherein the card has a serial number printedtherein, and wherein during the purchase of the card, said computerprogram for receiving also receives the serial number for the card, notthe account number.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said accountnumber is determined during the purchase of the card based on the serialnumber received and using said database.
 48. The apparatus of claim 45wherein said apparatus further comprises: computer program code forsubsequently receiving, during a transaction using a card, an accountnumber from the card and a currency debit amount; computer program codefor transmitting to an authorization message for transferring saidcurrency debit amount if said currency debit amount is not greater thansaid currency amount in said database corresponding to the accountnumber; and computer program code for subtracting said currency debitamount from the currency amount in said database corresponding to theaccount number and updating said currency amount in said database. 49.The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said computer readable medium furthercomprises: computer program code for transmitting a message denying thetransferring of currency if said currency debit amount is greater thanthe currency amount in the database.
 50. The computer readable medium ofclaim 48 wherein a bank identification number is also encoded in thecard.
 51. The computer readable medium of claim 50 wherein saidplurality of fields of said database includes a field for a bankidentification number.
 52. The computer readable medium of claim 48wherein said computer program code for receiving an account number and acurrency debit amount also receives a personal identification number.